Current Events Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 6

About the Current Events Program
The Current Events Program teaches students about the dangers of the loss of biodiversity to human health and gives them a chance to learn about population growth, climate change, air and water quality, waste disposal and energy consumption in fun and engaging ways. We want students to understand that everything they throw away goes somewhere and that every action they take affects something else. We want them to know what they can do to conserve our environment, and in doing so, our way of life. But most importantly, after learning about the threats to our global environment, we want students to feel empowered, not afraid. Because of the complex and scientific nature of this program, we are offering these brand new classes only to groups of students 6th grade and older.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Other Curriculum Areas: English, Math
Grade Level: 6

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Current Events Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will build an understanding of the lithosphere.

Objectives
1.01 Determine how physical and biological agents and processes form soil and affect soil characteristics.

1.03 Evaluate ways in which human activities have affected Earth's pedosphere and the measures taken to control the impact:

  • Ground cover.
  • Farming.
  • Land use.
  • Nutrient balance.
Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will investigate the characteristics of matter and energy flow through an ecosystem.

Objectives
2.03 Describe ways in which organisms interact with each other and with non-living parts of the environment:
  • Limiting factors.
  • Coexistence/Cooperation/Competition.
  • Symbiosis.

2.04 Evaluate the consequences of disrupting food webs.

English Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.

Objectives
1.03 Interact appropriately in group settings by:
  • listening attentively.
  • showing empathy.
  • contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to content.
  • monitoring own understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as needed.

1.04 Reflect on learning experiences by:

  • describing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
  • identifying changes in self throughout the learning process.
  • interpreting how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.
English Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will explore and analyze information from a variety of sources.


Objectives
2.01 Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:

  • restating and summarizing information.
  • determining the importance of information.
  • making connections to related topics/information.
  • drawing inferences.
  • generating questions.
English Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will use critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate text and multimedia.


Objectives
4.01 Determine the purpose of the author or creator by:

  • exploring any bias, apparent or hidden messages, emotional factors, or propaganda techniques.
  • identifying and exploring the underlying assumptions of the author/creator.

4.02 Develop (with teacher assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:

  • drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
  • considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.

4.03 Recognize and develop a stance of a critic by:

  • considering alternative points of view or reasons.
  • remaining fair-minded and open to other interpretations.
English Competency
Goal 6		 The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.


Objectives
6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:

  • determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words by using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffixes) of words.
  • extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.
Spatial Sense, Measurement, and Geometry
Math Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will demonstrate an understanding and use of the properties and relationships in geometry, and standard units of metric and customary measurement.

Objectives
2.12 Estimate solutions to problems involving geometry and measurement. Determine when estimates are sufficient for the measurement situation.

Data, Probability, and Statistics
Math Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will demonstrate an understanding and use of graphing, probability, and data analysis.


Objectives
4.01 Create and evaluate graphic representations of data.